FC Dallas vs Portland Timbers
FC Dallas hold on for narrow win
Two goals from L. Farrington and J. Valiente secure victory despite a late Portland reply.
FC Dallas edged out Portland Timbers 2-1 in a closely contested Major League Soccer clash. L. Farrington opened the scoring just before half-time, and J. Valiente doubled the lead late on, only for A. Lassiter to pull one back in stoppage time. Fipster's high-confidence prediction for a home win was spot on, even if the exact scoreline was a bit ambitious.
Outcome probability
FC Dallas and Portland Timbers face off in what promises to be a lively MLS regular season fixture. Both teams have shown glimpses of attacking flair, but Dallas' stronger league position and goal difference suggest they have the edge.
Match factors
FC Dallas' top scorer Musa doubtful
Petar Musa leads with 18 goals but is doubtful due to an upper-body injury, potentially reducing Dallas' scoring threat.
Valiente's creative influence key for FC Dallas
Joaquín Valiente's 7 assists and recent form provide Dallas a creative edge to unlock Portland's defense.
Portland's Kelsy and Velde form a strong attacking duo
Kevin Kelsy (9 goals) and Kristoffer Velde (6 goals, 5 assists) combine scoring and creativity, boosting Portland's attack.
FC Dallas' recent home scoring streak
Dallas has scored in 4 of last 5 home games, supporting the predicted 4 goals in this fixture.
Portland's defensive weakness due to Bye's absence
Defender Brandon Bye is out injured, weakening Portland's defense against Dallas' attackers.
The context
This match is part of the 2026 MLS regular season, round 25. FC Dallas currently sit 3rd in the league with 40 points, while Portland Timbers are 8th with 31 points. Their head-to-head history is fairly balanced, with Dallas winning 6 of 20 meetings and Portland 5, alongside 9 draws. The average goals per meeting is 2.6, but this fixture is expected to be more prolific.
Key insights
Petar Musa
FC Dallas
League-leading scorer with 18 goals but doubtful due to injury, which may reduce Dallas' attacking threat.
Major League Soccer 26/2718 goals in 21 appearances
Joaquín Valiente
FC Dallas
Top assister with 7 assists and excellent recent form, key to unlocking Portland's defence.
Major League Soccer 26/277 assists in 21 appearances, 4 assists in last 5 games
Logan Farrington
FC Dallas
Consistent scorer and assister, important link in attack with 8 goals and 3 assists this season.
Major League Soccer 26/278 goals and 3 assists in 22 appearances
Kevin Kelsy
Portland Timbers
Leading scorer for Portland with 9 goals, a key offensive threat.
Major League Soccer 26/279 goals in 19 appearances
Kristoffer Velde
Portland Timbers
Creative winger with 6 goals and 5 assists, strong recent home scoring form.
Major League Soccer 26/276 goals and 5 assists in 21 appearances
Analysis
FC Dallas have been consistent at home, scoring in 4 of their last 5 home games, which bodes well for their predicted 4 goals here. Portland's attack, led by Kevin Kelsy and Kristoffer Velde, offers a threat but may struggle against Dallas' defence, especially with Brandon Bye out injured. Dallas' creative spark comes from Joaquín Valiente, whose 7 assists and recent form could unlock Portland's defence. Meanwhile, Dallas' top scorer Petar Musa is doubtful due to injury, but Logan Farrington's form should help fill the gap.
Key facts
- 1.FC Dallas rank 3rd in the league with 40 points from 24 games (W11 D7 L6).
- 2.Portland Timbers are 8th with 31 points from 23 games (W9 D4 L10).
- 3.In 20 head-to-head meetings, FC Dallas have won 6, Portland Timbers 5, with 9 draws.
- 4.Head-to-head matches average 2.6 goals, but this fixture is expected to be higher scoring.
- 5.FC Dallas have a better goal difference (+5) than Portland Timbers this season.
- 6.FC Dallas have scored in 4 of their last 5 home games.
- 7.Portland's defender Brandon Bye is out injured, weakening their defence.
Prediction
The most probable outcome is a home win for FC Dallas with a 4-2 scoreline. The halftime score is expected to be 2-1, reflecting a competitive start before Dallas pull away. The match is also predicted to see around 4 cards, indicating a moderately physical contest.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — FC Dallas
Away — Portland Timbers
The verdict
Expect an entertaining, high-scoring game with FC Dallas leveraging their home advantage and superior form to claim victory. Portland Timbers will fight hard but ultimately fall short in this clash.
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Farrington
Assist: Moore
Kaick
Yellow Card
Ortiz
Moreno
Binyamin
Fernandez
Ramiro
Farrington
Smith
Valiente
Assist: Musa
Kamungo
Lassiter
Assist: Guerra
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Vancouver Whitecaps | 24 | 14 | 4 | 6 | +30 | 46 |
| 2 |  Houston Dynamo | 25 | 13 | 4 | 8 | +4 | 43 |
| 3 |  FC Dallas | 25 | 12 | 7 | 6 | +7 | 43 |
| 4 |  San Jose Earthquakes | 25 | 12 | 5 | 8 | +8 | 41 |
| 7 |  Colorado Rapids | 25 | 11 | 2 | 12 | +1 | 35 |
| 8 |  Portland Timbers | 25 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 32 |
| 9 |  San Diego | 25 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 30 |
Match Statistics
FC Dallas
3-4-2-1Starting XI
- 6R. BinyaminM
- 10S. MorenoM
- 17RamiroM
- 18S. MooreD
- 21J. ValienteM
- 23L. FarringtonF
- 25S. IbeaghaD
- 32N. NorrisD
- 42DanielG
- 55KaickM
- 77B. KamungoM
Substitutes
- 5L. AbubakarD
- 8P. DelgadoM
- 9P. MusaF
- 12C. CappisM
- 14H. JohanssonM
- 24Joshua TorquatoD
- 28Samuel SarverF
- 33C. HolstadM
- 40J. SiroisG
Portland Timbers
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 2J. WatermanD
- 11AntonyM
- 12R. HernándezD
- 17C. BassettM
- 20F. SurmanD
- 21D. CharáM
- 22O. FernandezF
- 23Ian SmithD
- 41J. PantemisG
- 80J. OrtizM
- 99K. VeldeM
Substitutes
- 4K. MillerD
- 6A. BonetigD
- 7A. LassiterF
- 15E. MillerD
- 16S. JuraD
- 26H. SulteG
- 88Andrew GuerraF
FC Dallas
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. Valiente | M | 90 | 8.2 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/3 |
| L. Farrington | F | 77 | 7.6 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 0/1 |
| S. Moore | D | 90 | 7.3 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — |
| P. Musa | F | 13 | 7.1 | — | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
| N. Norris | D | 90 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S. Ibeagha | D | 90 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| P. Delgado | M | 13 | 6.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| H. Johansson | M | 27 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| Ramiro | M | 77 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| L. Abubakar | D | 2 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kaick | M | 90 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/2 |
| C. Cappis | M | 27 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S. Moreno | M | 63 | 6.4 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| R. Binyamin | M | 63 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| B. Kamungo | M | 88 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| Daniel | G | 90 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J. Sirois | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Joshua Torquato | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Samuel Sarver | F | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| C. Holstad | M | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Portland Timbers
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Lassiter | F | 34 | 7.9 | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1/1 |
| Andrew Guerra | F | 26 | 7.0 | — | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | — |
| C. Bassett | M | 90 | 6.9 | — | — | 4 | — | 1 | — |
| J. Pantemis | G | 90 | 6.8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| R. Hernández | D | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | 1 | — | 2 | — |
| J. Waterman | D | 90 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| F. Surman | D | 90 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| O. Fernandez | F | 64 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| J. Ortiz | M | 56 | 6.5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — |
| D. Chará | M | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| K. Velde | M | 90 | 6.4 | — | — | 3 | — | 4 | 2/5 |
| Antony | M | 90 | 6.3 | — | — | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2/3 |
| K. Miller | D | 7 | 6.1 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ian Smith | D | 83 | 6.1 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| A. Bonetig | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S. Jura | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| E. Miller | D | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| H. Sulte | G | 0 | 0.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |